RT Journal
A1 BARRIE H
T1 TWelve good men and a dog
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1979
FD April 1
VO 133
IS 4
SP 447
OP 447
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130040101028
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130040101028
AB London.—On Nov 9th, our consultant geriatrician was attacked and nearly murdered. The news spread like wildfire through the hospital, kindling consternation, outrage, and dismay. The response contained all the usual reactions except surprise. Mental sickness is, after all, common and crazy people finish up in hospitals sooner or later. According to the latest United Kingdom figures, psychiatric illness affects one woman in six and one man in nine at some time in their lives. Coming up against a homicidal maniac is just one more occupational hazard of being a doctor. There is little more to be said, but is it really so simple?This hospital, unlike so many of our antiquated bastions, is a splendid new building of advanced design hardly four years old and is considered something of a showpiece in our ailing Health Service. But for the sour fermentation of industrial strife and the sorry mirage of